Agenda of Waitākere Ranges Local Board

1 Welcome

2 Apologies

At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.

3 Declaration of Interest

Members were reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

Specifically members are asked to identify any new interests they have not previously disclosed, an interest that might be considered as a conflict of interest with a matter on the agenda.

At its meeting on 28 November 2013, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board resolved (resolution number WTK/2010/5) to record any possible conflicts of interest in a register.

Board Member	Organisation / Position
Sandra Coney	· Waitemata District Health Board – Elected Member · Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron
Neil Henderson	· Portage Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Weedfree Trust and EcoMatters Environment Trust– Employee
Greg Presland	· Portage Trust – Elected Member · Lopdell House Development Trust – Trustee · Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Group – Committee Member · Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust – Trustee · Combined Youth Services Trust - Trustee
Steve Tollestrup	· Waitakere Licensing Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Waitakere Task force on Family Violence – Appointee
Saffron Toms	NIL
Denise Yates	· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Committee member · EcoMatters Environment Trust – Trustee · Charlotte Museum Trust – Trustee

Member appointments

Board members are appointed to the following bodies. In these appointments the board members represent Auckland Council.

Board Member	Organisation / Position
Sandra Coney	· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee
Neil Henderson	· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee · Living Cell Technologies Animal Ethics Committee – Member
Saffron Toms	· Ark in the Park – Governance Group Member

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 26 November 2015, as a true and correct record.

5 Leave of Absence

At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.

6 Acknowledgements

At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.

7 Update from Ward Councillors

An opportunity is provided for the Waitakere Ward Councillors to update the board on regional issues they have been involved with since the last meeting.

8 Deputations

Standing Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

8.1 Wireless Broadband Huia Project

Purpose

Logan Ransley CEO of Spirit Wireless requested an opportunity to present to the board regarding Huia Broadband proposal and obtaining a licence to occupy a small section of space on the Council owned Titirangi War Memorial Hall located at 500 South Titirangi Road to install some equipment for their broadband link.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the deputation from Logan Ransley, CEO of Spirit Wireless and thank him for his presentation.

8.2 EcoMatters Environment Trust

Purpose

1. Dan Ducker from EcoMatters Environment Trust will present to the board on the findings of the recently completed Clean Streams and Industrial Pollution Prevention programme performed in West Auckland by the team at Keep Waitakere Beautiful (now part of EcoMatters Environment Trust).

2. The Clean Streams Programme began in 1996 as a waterway restoration project and has since been modified from a focus on operational objectives to educational and research objectives. The overarching objective of Clean Streams for the past three years has been to understand and minimise the threats to water quality in the water bodies of West Auckland.

3. The programme has been funded by Auckland Council (Environmental Services and Stormwater), and divided into a portion with a residential focus ("Clean Streams") and a portion with an industrial focus ("Industrial Pollution Prevention").

4. This presentation will detail engagement, research and educational findings as a result of the programme and provide recommendations for future programmes in this space."

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the deputation from Dan Ducker from EcoMatters Environment Trust.

8.3 Deputation - Hillary Trail Run

Purpose

1. Shaun Collins of Lactic Turkey Events, contracted by and on behalf of the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust, will provide a report back on the previous Hillary Trail Run 2015 sporting event (held in March of this year). As approved by the Waitakere Range Local Board the 2015 event utilised areas of Piha and Bethells domains.

2. The Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust are also seeking land owner approval support from the Waitakere Ranges Local Board for their upcoming open space booking request for the North Piha Beach, Piha Domain, Bethells Domain and Bethells beach on Saturday, 27^th February 2016, where the domains will again act as transition areas for The Hillary Trail Run 2016 event.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the deputation from Shaun Collins speaking on behalf of the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust.

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.

10 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

11 Notices of Motion

At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Request for landowner approval - Hillary Ultra Trail Run 2016

File No.: CP2015/26493

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to seek landowner approval from the Waitakere Ranges Local Board for the Bethells Beach and Domain, and Piha Beach local park aspects of the Hillary Ultra Trail Run scheduled for Saturday 27 February 2016.

Executive Summary

2. In December 2014 Auckland Council granted the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust a three year consent (Attachment A) to hold a ‘ultra’ trail running event on the Hillary Trail. The second event under this consent is scheduled for 27 February 2016.

3. The Hillary Trail Ultra Run (‘The Hillary’) is 80km in length, starting at the Arataki Visitor Centre utilising a number of existing regional park tracks and concluding at the Village Green in Muriwai. This is the thirds time the event has been held.

4. A maximum of 600 participants may take part in the 2016 race; however it will be staggered over three sections. Up to 125 participants may start at Arataki and complete the full 80km race; 225 participants may join the race at Piha for the 34km race and the final 16km option with up to 250 participants departs from Bethells Te Henga.

5. The approved consent includes a number of specific conditions and requirements relating to minimising any impacts on the environment and public.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Provides landowner approval for the use of Les Waygood Park, Bethells Beach, Bethells Domain, Piha Domain, and North Piha Beach for the Hillary Ultra Trail Run scheduled Saturday 27 February 2016.

Comments

6. Landowner approval is sought from the Waitākere Ranges Local Board for those areas where the event utilises local parks namely Les Waygood Park, Bethells Beach, Bethells Domain, Piha Domain, and North Piha Beach (Attachments B and C).

The Event

7. The Hillary Trail Ultra Run (‘The Hillary’) is 80km in length, starting at the Arataki Visitor Centre predominantly utilising a number of existing regional park tracks and concluding at the Village Green in Muriwai.

8. Organisers of the event seek to create an iconic trail running race that achieves the following objectives:

· Create a world class trail run that attracts national and international runners

· Showcase the Hillary Trail facility to local, national and international visitors

· Showcase the wider Waitakere Ranges area to local, national and international visitors

· Support local groups raise some money through providing services and food to the participants

· Raise money for the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust to distribute to Waitākere Ranges based projects

9. The event is being managed for the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust by Shaun Collins of Lactic Turkey Events.

10. Regional Parks West are the council’s point of contact.

The Consent

11. A consent from the Waitākere Ranges and Muriwai Regional Parks team has been provided to the Hillary Trail Run Charitable Trust for the Hillary Ultra Trail Run.

12. The decision to grant approval for this event was carefully considered and the resulting consent contained a number of stringent conditions.

13. Regional parks and Bio-security staff have worked closely with the event organiser on reviewing past events, reviewing the event route, assessing the right balance of participants and recommending the most appropriate level of kauri dieback phyto-sanitary protection.

14. A staggering of participants over three sections has been designed to lessen the impacts on the tracks and experience shows that, given the level of normal use on the tracks that this additional level of activity will likely have minimal impact.

15. It is a condition of the permit that all race applicants are made aware of the environmental sensitivities of the Waitakere Ranges and, in particular, the need to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. The applicant will proactively promote awareness of kauri dieback to participants through the event registration, on their event website and at pre-event briefings.

16. The event will also be promoted as a “smoke free” event.

Local Board Views and Implications

17. This report is seeking landowner approval from the local board.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	DISCRETIONARY USE CONSENT WS754 “The Hillary” 2015	11
b View	Bethells Site Plan	21
c View	Piha Site Plan	23

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Auckland Transport Update Report December 2015

File No.: CP2015/26192

Purpose

1. The purpose of the report is to respond to Waitakere Ranges Local Board requests on transport related matters and to provide information about Auckland Transport’s activities in the local board area.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Update Report December 2015.

Comments

2. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board Plan 2014 - 2017 provides direction to Auckland Transport on the views and preferences of the local community. It has three main themes, with a number of key initiatives, relating to transport and the enhancement of public space along the road corridor.

The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area is protected.

· Developing a Road Corridor Design Guide for the Heritage area.

· Implementing Local Area Plans (LAPs). The five existing LAPs for Oratia; Henderson Valley-Opanuku; Waiatarua; Muddy Creeks; Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and the Waitakere River Valley have transport related actions for each area.

Our Unique natural environments are healthy and restored.

· Implementing the Waitakere Ranges Strategic Weed Management Plan,

Public transport, cycling and walking are easy, safe and connected.

· Support rail electrification and improvements to bus services

· Work with our communities on a proposal for a connector shuttle service for coastal / rural areas, similar to the Kowhai connection in Warkworth,

· Support the development of park and ride in Glen Eden.

· Working with Auckland Transport to improve the road corridor in Glen Eden.

· Develop a greenways plan for walking and cycling.

· Investigate options for a cycleway from Project Twin Streams pathway to Glen Eden town centre.

· Support the development of a cycleway alongside the Western Rail Line.

· Advocate for rural road safety improvements – including sensible speed limits and provisions for walking and cycling.

LOCAL BOARD TRANSPORT FUND APPLICATION UPDATE REPORT

MOUNTAIN ROAD WALKWAY - Detail Design Stage

Status

3. A separate report requesting the WRLB to increase the budget for the construction phase of this project will be presented at their 9^th December meeting. The plan is to start the physical works around February 2016, and finish by the end of April.

ORATIA PROJECTS: IMPROVEMENTS TO WALKING & CYCLING FACILITY - Preliminary design stage

Status

4. The detailed design and investigation phase is in progress. An Arborist’s assessment and a parking survey were completed in early November, 2015. Consultation on consenting issues with AT's Planners is in progress. Draft preliminary design is anticipated to be submitted for review and consultation with internal stakeholders by the end of December, 2015.

WALKING & CYCLING CONNECTION FROM ORATIA TO TWIN STREAMS WALKWAY AND SUNNYVALE TRAIN STATION THROUGH PARRS PARK - Investigation Stage

Status

5. A brief is now been drafted to start the investigation works for the preferred options to connect the missing links of a shared path between Oratia township and the Sunnyvale Train Station. It’s planned to get a consultant on board to start the professional services works on this project before the Christmas break.

CAPTAIN SCOTT ROAD (NEAR ITS INTERSECTION WITH WEST COAST ROAD) – PEDESTRIAN & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS - Investigation Stage

Status

6. A workshop with the Glen Eden Business Improvement District (BID) was carried out on 21 Oct 2015, followed by a consultation undertaken by the Glen Eden BID through their local newsletter, and with dedicated letters sent to the directly affected business owners. The feedback comments from this consultation were presented to the LB in a workshop on 19 November, in which the LB requested that AT extend the consultation further to include the wider community. A draft letter is now with the LB waiting for their approval, and also seeking advice on the size of the catchment area for this consultation phase.

RESPONSES AND PROGRESS REPORTS

TRAM VALLEY ROAD SPEED LIMIT

7. The Local Board has received a complaint requesting Auckland Transport investigate reducing on speed on Tram Valley Road.

Update

8. Auckland Transport has reviewed the speed limit on Tram Valley Road in accordance with the requirements of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2003 and has also assessed them under the NZTA’s Draft Speed Management Guide.

9. The Speed Limits Rule is a central government regulation which governs how speed limits are set and seeks to achieve a consistent approach across the entire country. Under the current speed limit rule the existing speed limit on Tram Valley Road is correctly set. The dominant factor in determining the speed limits under the current rule is the level of roadside

development, with the rural open road speed limit (100km/h) being applied in this road due to the sparse level of roadside development.

10. The Draft Speed Management Guide is the development of a new approach to speed limit setting and planned changes to the speed limit rule that shift the focus towards the national safe system approach. The speed management guide places greater emphasis on the function and use of the road, the geometry of the road and the crash risk. The speed management guide is still a work in progress and has not yet been finalised. It is expected that when it is finalised the changes to speed limits will be initially targeted to areas with the greatest crash risk.

11. Tram Valley Road functions as a local road. It has low traffic volumes, constrained geometry, and does not provide a through route into the wider network. Tram Valley Road has a low crash risk based on crash records from the last five years.

12. Taking into account these various factors it is likely that Tram Valley Road would qualify for a lower speed limit under the new approach, although in terms of priority the low crash risk means it will need to wait for higher priority sites to be addressed first, when a roll out of changes under the new speed management guide proceeds.

HUIA ROAD SPEED LIMIT

13. The Local Board has received a complaint requesting Auckland Transport investigate extending the 50 km/h speed limit up to the hill in Parau.

Update

14. Auckland Transport (AT) has visited the site and undertaken an initial review of the issue raised. Further detailed investigation now needs to be undertaken to ensure a comprehensive review of this issue. This investigation has been prioritised and programmed for review, following which Auckland Transport will be able to provide the Local Board with the outcome and recommendations based on AT’s assessment. The Local Board is expected to receive an update from Auckland Transport by early 2016.

DRAFT DESIGN GUIDELINE UPDATE

15. Update on timeline for the Local Board:

· Consultation on draft document October-November with Local Board, Residents and Ratepayers group and in-house AT teams

· Final draft for review November/December 2015

· Publication Jan/Feb 2016 (Provisional)

KAREKARE ROAD POHUTUKAWA TREE

16. Auckland Transport identified a pohutukawa tree on Karekare Road as a potential hazard for users of this road, due to the lack of vertical clearance above the road carriageway. Following discussion with Park’s Arborists, the decision was made to commission an arboricultural assessment of the tree. The arborist’s report identifies that this pohutukawa tree is very old and will progressively decline but potentially has many years of life left. It is also only 3.25 metres, at its lowest point, above the carriageway, when the generally permitted minimum vehicle height clearance is 4.5 metres. Auckland Transport has decided to not remove the limb of the tree but have instead installed further warning signage to alert road users to the potential hazard. A monitoring programme is also being introduced. Additionally, the option of propping the limb, as a means of preventing the limb from lowering further, is currently being investigated by staff. AT and AC staff met recently with the Waitakere Ranges Local Board to provide a briefing and seek feedback.

17. If the propping option is not viable then the issue is likely to be revisited.

MOUNTAIN ROAD, HENDERSON VALLEY – SIGNAGE

18. The Ward Councillor and Local Board Transport Portfolio Lead have been contacted by a local resident about roading issues on Mountain Road. The resident would like Auckland Transport to investigate installing signage to slow traffic on this road.

Update

19. An Auckland Transport engineer has visited the site and undertaken an initial review of the concerns raised. Further detailed investigation now needs to be undertaken to ensure a comprehensive review of this issue. This investigation has been prioritised and programmed for review, following which AT will be able to provide you with the outcome and recommendations of our assessment.

20. The Local Board can expect to receive an update from Auckland Transport by end of January, 2016.

WEST COAST ROAD, GLEN EDEN – PROPOSED NO STOPPING AT ALL TIMES (NSAAT) RESTRICTIONS

21. Auckland Transport is responding to concerns raised by a local resident with regard to the lack of visibility and accessibility from cars parking between 46 - 50 West Coast Road.

22. To help improve the visibility and accessibility in this area AT is proposing to install approximately 60m of additional NSAAT ‘Broken Yellow Lines’ on the southern side of the road as shown on the attached aerial photograph. This will remove some of the parking spaces along West Coast Road. This proposal is shown on the attached aerial photograph (Attachment 1).

Local Board Response

23. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.

OLD TITIRANGI ROAD, TITIRANGI - PROPOSED NO STOPPING AT ALL TIMES (NSAAT) RESTRICTION

24. Auckland Transport is responding to concerns that have been raised by a local resident with regards to visibility and accessibility issues experienced by drivers when travelling around the bends on Old Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

25. At present vehicle parking is only allowed on the southern side of Old Titirangi Road with No Stopping At All Times (NSAAT) restriction provided along the northern side of the road. However, due to the narrowness and the horizontal geometry of this road, parked vehicles on the southern side of the bends in the vicinity of no.186 – 192, 210 – 222 and 226 - 228 Old Titirangi Road cause visibility and accessibility issues, particularly for drivers travelling eastbound on Old Tititangi Road.

26. Therefore, to help improve both visibility and accessibility around these bends, No Stopping At All Times restrictions (through installation of painted Broken Yellow Lines) are proposed at these locations. This proposal is shown on the attached aerial photograph (Attachment 2).

Local Board Response

27. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.

CLAYBURN ROAD, GLEN EDEN - PROPOSED NO STOPPING AT ALL TIMES (NSAAT) RESTRICTION

28. Auckland Transport is responding to concerns that have been raised by a local resident with regards to visibility and safety issues experienced by drivers when travelling around the bend in the vicinity of no. 64 Clayburn Road, Glen Eden.

29. At present, vehicle parking is allowed on both sides of the road at this location. However, due to the horizontal geometry of this road, parked vehicles on the northern side of this bend cause visibility issues particularly for eastbound drivers.

30. Therefore to help improve both visibility and safety around this bend, No Stopping At All Times restriction is proposed at the location indicated on the attached aerial photograph (attachment 3)

Local Board Response

31. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.

ARAPITO ROAD, TITIRANGI - PROPOSED NO STOPPING AT ALL TIMES (NSAAT) RESTRICTION

32. Auckland Transport is responding to concerns that have been raised by a local resident with regards to visibility and safety issues experienced by drivers when travelling around the bend in the vicinity of 24 – 28 Arapito Road, Titirangi.

33. At present, vehicle parking is allowed on both sides of the road at this location. However, due to the narrowness and the horizontal geometry of this road, parked vehicles at this bend causes visibility issues for drivers.

34. Therefore to help improve both visibility and accessibility around this bend, No Stopping At All Times restriction is proposed at the location indicated on the attached aerial photograph (Attachment 4).

WAITAKERE ROAD SPEED CHANGE

35. Auckland Transport conducted a consultation in November 2014 outlining a proposed speed limit change to a portion of Waitakere Road and sought community feedback. This is to inform you of the outcome.

36. Auckland Transport received over 60 responses in total to the consultation both in written form and online, with 85% of these in favour of the proposed change from the current un-restricted 100km/h limit to 80km/h. There was strong agreement from respondents that a speed limit reduction would help to enhance the safety of all road users and that this change should be implemented as soon as possible.

37. In light of this, Auckland Transport is proceeding with the introduction of this proposed speed limit change.

38. The length of Waitakere Road covered by this speed limit change will be from Access Road to #556 Waitakere Road, with no change to the speed limit on the remainder of Waitakere Road. As part of the consultation feedback, Farrand Road will be incorporated within the proposed 80km/h speed zone.

39. The proposed changes have been programmed for implementation in the next three months. Introduction of this speed limit change will require the replacement of some existing signage and additional road marking. Attached is the map of the speed limits (Attachment 5).

ISSUES PENDING
Subject Name	Description	Due Date
Huia Road Speed Limit & Footpath, Parau	A request has been received from the Local Board Portfolio Lead to look at the speed on Huia Road with a view to speed restriction being introduced.	December 2015

ISSUES COMPLETED
Subject Name	Decision Description	Date Requested	Completion date
Cornwallis Slip	The physical works were completed..	August 2015	October 2015
O’neils Road Speed	O’Neills Road would qualify for a lower speed limit under the new approach.	October 2015	November 2015
Arapito Road – Parking Restrictions	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
Red Hills Road, Massey Road Safety Improvements	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
Pedestrian Refuge Islands At Seymour Road	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
New No Passing Line - 182 - 214 Bethells Road, Bethells	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
Titirangi Village – Removal Of Speed Hump	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
Tahi Terrace And Fruitvale Road, Glen Eden - Proposed ‘No Stopping At All Times’ Restriction	The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.	October 2015	November 2015
Bowers Road – Keep Clear Sign Request	Due to the conflicting vehicle movements at this location, and the close proximity to the signalised intersection, neither ‘Keep Clear’ signage nor a right turning bay, can be provided at this location.	October 2015	November 2015

REGIONAL UPDATES

HOP CARD PRICE CHANGE

40. The HOP card originally cost $10, including GST, when it was launched in 2012, but since then Auckland Transport has discounted it to $5.00 to encourage uptake. The actual cost of the card is $8.54, excluding GST, and Auckland Transport has been funding the shortfall. This is significant, considering over 600,000 cards have been sold.

41. Now that most customers have a HOP card, AT is removing the discount which was applied while the system was rolled out and bedded down.

42. The increase will apply from Thursday 17 December, 2015.

GLEN INNES TO TAMAKI DRIVE CYCLE PATH

43. Construction has started on one of Auckland’s biggest walking and cycling projects, connecting Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitemata Harbour. A dawn blessing and sod turning ceremony marked the start of the construction phase on 21 October. The sod turning ceremony was attended by representatives of Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board, Orakei Local Board, Auckland Council, New Zealand Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and the Hon Simon Bridges, Minister of Transport.

44. The shared path starts at Merton Road in Glen Innes and follows the rail line all the way to Tamaki Drive and will connect communities and provide a route into the city for people on bikes and is another step on the way towards easing traffic congestion.

45. The path will be around four metres wide and constructed mostly in concrete. Timber boardwalks will cross the water at Orakei Basin and concrete will be used for longer structures such as the proposed Hobson Bay crossing. LED lighting will extend the hours of access, particularly during the winter months. Although the geography is hilly in places, the pathway is designed to keep gradients as low as possible.

46. The first stage of the shared path from Merton Road to St Johns Road is due to be finished in late 2016.

CYCLING NUMBERS INCREASING

47. The number of people cycling in Auckland is up 7% according to research released recently by Auckland Transport. An independent survey conducted earlier in the year, looked at the walking and cycling habits of more than 1600 people living in Auckland and compared the findings with last year.

48. It found that the number of people who said that they did any cycling at all went from 20% to 27%. The number of people cycling at least once a week was also up to 11% compared with 6%, 12 months ago.

49. While the reason for cycling is still exercise or fitness (68%) or recreation (48%), there was a steady growth in those saying cycling to work was the reason they get on a bike (up to 16% from 12%). The survey also gathered information about where people lived and found that those living directly east and west of the city have the highest proportion of people cycling.

50. This research is a source of real data in order for AT to plan ahead for the future cycle improvements. Putting in protected cycle facilities in the right parts of the city will make people feel and be safer when riding around the city. To maximise the investment which has come from local and central government, AT plans to improve the network for cycling into and around the city centre as well connections to public transport interchanges.

51. People living in the inner city and the corridor running north-south from the city have the highest potential for growth in cycling. To get people cycling, overcoming perception of safety seems to be the greatest barrier.

LET’S CARPOOL CAMPAIGN

52. Auckland Transport is running a public campaign in November to encourage carpooling. The key objective is to reduce the amount of single vehicle occupancy trips into central Auckland by encouraging people to give carpooling a go and visit the Let’s Carpool website to register. The target audience is people aged between 20 and 45 years working in Central Auckland.

ROAD SAFETY YOUNG DRIVER MARKETING CAMPAIGN

53. Young driver crashes are a high strategic priority identified in “Safer Journeys” and locally this issue is of high concern due to the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from these crashes. From 2010 to 2014, there were 664 death and serious injury crashes involving young drivers and these crashes resulted in 74 deaths and 749 serious injuries. Targeting 18-24 year old male and female drivers, the main campaign objectives are:

· To contribute towards a reduction in serious injury crashes involving young drivers across the Auckland region

· To increase young driver’s safety awareness and understanding of the consequences of dangerous driving

· To continue to grow the Snapchat and Facebook database of young drivers. This follows on from the success of the May 2015 young driver campaign, whereby AT generated 2,193 new likes on the “Youredriving” Facebook page and 5,185 new Snapchat followers.

54. Based on the tagline of “You wouldn’t do that”, the three road safety themes are Distraction, Speeding and Drink Driving. Three different scenarios will be developed into short 10 second videos and released on Snapchat and Facebook:

· You wouldn’t text while in a job interview. Don’t Text. You’re Driving.

· You wouldn’t drink before hitting the gym. Don’t drink. You’re Driving.

· You wouldn’t rush through a hot date. Don’t speed. You’re Driving.

55. To help incentivise people, AT will run a competition challenging Snapchat users to send in a snap of their own 10 second video (or static photo) showing a scenario where they “Wouldn’t do that”. The best entries will be posted on Snapchat for the public to vote on and the favourite choice each week, over a three week period, will receive a prize of an iphone 6.

NEW MANUKAU BUS STATION

56. The proposed Manukau Bus Station is a key part of the roll out of a new public transport network across south Auckland. It will provide Aucklanders with a new network of buses and trains that will get them to their destination faster and more efficiently.

57. The Manukau train station sees an average of 1037 daily week day passenger trips and is currently the 13^th busiest station in Auckland.

58. Auckland Transport (AT) has now developed concept design plans for the proposed new high quality bus station, aimed at making it easy to transfer between trains and buses, as well as between bus services. It will be designed to have sufficient capacity for long distance coach services. The facility will also feature a large enclosed waiting area similar to an airport lounge.

59. Auckland Transport seeks feedback on the concept design to help make an informed decision to provide a high quality bus station and customer experience.

60. Located right next to Manukau train station, the Manukau civic offices car park on Putney Way (between Davies Avenue and Osterley Way) will be transformed to a 23-bay bus station. The train and bus stations will be linked by a covered walkway.

61. The Auckland Transport project, in partnership with the Transport Agency, is expected to cost approximately $26 million.

62. The entire structure will be designed to provide a high quality public transport experience which will be safe and accessible for everyone. Temporary bus stops will be installed on Davies Avenue to allow the new network to operate smoothly until the station is constructed and opens in the second half of 2017.

63. To support the rollout of the new network in south Auckland, Auckland Transport is also is building new bus and train stations at key locations like Pukekohe and Otahuhu.

Bus station features

64. The bus station is likely to feature the following:

· Convenience kiosks

· A ticket office

· AT Metro customer service

· Drop off and pick up facilities

· Cycle parking facilities

· Taxi parking

· Customer waiting areas

· Bus staff office facilities

· 24 hour security, help points and CCTV

· Toilets

· Designed to allow for regional coach services (for example, services currently using Leyton Way at Westfield Manukau will be moved to the bus interchange)

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	AT - West Coast Road, Glen Eden - Proposed NSAAT Installation	35
b View	AT - Old Titirangi Road, Titirangi NSAA Restriction	37
c View	AT - Clayburn Road, Glen Eden - NSAAT Restriction	41
d View	AT - Arapito Road, Titirangi - NSAA Restriction	43
e View	AT - Waitakere Road, Kumeu, Rodney Local Board - Speed Limit Change	45

Signatories

Authors

Owena Schuster - Elected Member Relationship Manager - West, Auckland Transport

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Annual Plan 2016/2017 – local consultation content

File No.: CP2015/25910

Purpose

1. This report seeks agreement of proposed locally driven initiative (LDI) priorities for 2016/2017 and adoption of local content for consultation, as part of the Annual Plan 2016/2017.

Executive Summary

2. Legislation governing the annual plan process has changed - there is no longer a requirement to produce a draft Annual Plan. Instead, council must produce a consultation document which includes:

a) proposed significant or material changes (if any) to year two of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (LTP); and

b) content relating to local board agreements.

3. This report seeks agreement of proposed locally driven initiative priorities for 2016/2017 and adoption of local content for consultation.

4. Following this business meeting, the governing body will meet on 17 December to agree consultation topics for the annual plan, and again in early February to agree consultation material, including local content from each local board.

5. Following consultation, a local board agreement with the governing body for 2016/2017 will be developed.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Agrees indicative locally driven initiative priorities for 2016/2017 (Attachment A)

b) Adopts local content for consultation (Attachment B)

c) Agrees that the Chairperson be delegated the authority to make any final minor changes to local consultation content for the Annual Plan 2016/2017 prior to publication, including online consultation content.

Comments

6. Legislation governing the annual plan process has changed - there is no longer a requirement to produce a draft Annual Plan. Instead, council must produce a consultation document which includes:

a) proposed significant or material changes (if any) to year two of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (LTP); and

b) content relating to local board agreements.

7. Over the last three months local boards have refined local priorities within funding envelopes outlined in year two of the LTP to prepare for consultation. This included consideration of locally driven initiatives and asset based services work programmes.

8. This report seeks agreement of proposed LDI priorities for 2016/2017 and adoption of local content for consultation.

9. Following this business meeting, the governing body will meet on 17 December to agree consultation topics for the Annual Plan, and again in early February to agree consultation material, including local content from each local board.

10. Consultation on the Annual Plan will take place from 15 February to 15 March 2016.

11. Following consultation, a local board agreement with the governing body for 2016/2017 will be developed. The Annual Plan, including 21 local board agreements, is due for adoption in June 2016.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

12. Local board feedback on regional matters for consultation was sought in November business meetings.

13. Advocacy discussions between local boards and the Finance & Performance Committee were held in November prior to decisions being made on Annual Plan consultation topics.

14. The purpose of this report is for local boards to agree local priorities and adopt local content for consultation.

15. Local boards will also have further opportunities to provide information and views as council continues through the Annual Plan process.

Māori impact statement

16. Many local board decisions are of importance to and impact on Māori. Local board agreements and the Annual Plan are important tools that enable and can demonstrate council’s responsiveness to Māori. Local board plans, which were developed in 2014 through engagement with the community including Māori, form the basis of local priorities.

17. There is a need to continue to build relationships between local boards and iwi, and where relevant the wider Māori community. Ongoing conversations will assist local boards and Māori to understand each other’s priorities and issues. This in turn can influence and encourage Māori participation in council’s decision-making processes.

Implementation

18. Following consultation, proposed initiatives and budgets will be considered and updated to reflect feedback and new information available, prior to adoption of the final Annual Plan.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Indicative LDI opex	61
b View	Local Consultation Material - Waitakere Ranges	63

Signatories

Authors

Kate Marsh – Financial Planning Manager – Local Board

Authorisers

Matthew Walker – GM Financial Strategy and Planning

Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Allocation of Local Environment Development Budgets

File No.: CP2015/26505

Purpose

1. To seek approval from the Waitākere Ranges Local Board to:

a) Allocate $22,500 to a community weed management project for Titirangi, to be delivered by Gecko Trust NZ;

b) Allocate up to $3,000 to a Seaweek event/s to promote a healthier marine environment; and

c) Allocate $1469.00 to produce 13 signs that highlight the achievements of Waitākere Ranges schools involved in the Enviroschools programme.

Executive Summary

2. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board committed a total budget of $313,000 to local environmental development projects in their Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) budget for 2015/2016. $44,000 of this budget is yet to be allocated as outlined in the below.

Remaining budgets	Amount still to be allocated
Community environmental services	$4,000
Weed and pest management	$9,000
Māui dolphin marine environment	$10,000
Weed control projects	$21,000
Total	$44,000

Table 1: Remaining budget to be allocated to 2015/2016 projects

3. Three proposed projects have been identified via portfolio discussions in relation to this budget:

a) Revitalising Titirangi village project – revitalising and restoring Titirangi’s bush heritage: $22,500, of which $21,000 from Weed control projects and $1,500 from Weed and pest management budgets.

b) Sea week event/s as part of Seaweek 2016 to promote a healthier marine environment: $3,000 from Maui dolphin / marine environment budget.

c) Thirteen signs that highlight the achievements of Waitākere Ranges schools involved in the Enviroschools programme: $1469.00 from the Community and environmental services budget.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Allocates a grant of $22,500 to Gecko NZ Trust ($21,000 from the Weed control projects budget and $1,500 from the Weed and pest management budget) to deliver the outlined Revitalising Titirangi village project.

b) Allocates $3,000 from the Maui dolphin / marine environment budget for event/s to be held as part of Seaweek 2016, to promote a healthier marine environment.

c) Allocates $1469.00 to the Infrastructure and Environmental Services department from the board’s Community and environmental services budget to produce 13 signs that highlight the achievements of Waitākere Ranges schools involved in the Enviroschools programme (noting that the signs must display the Waitākere Ranges Local Board logo).

Comments

4. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board has identified an aspiration in their 2014-2017 local board plan that ‘our unique natural environments are healthy and restored.’

5. To give effect to this aspiration the local board committed $313,000 in total to local environmental development projects in their Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) budget for 2015/2016. The board allocated this budget into seven main budget lines as shown in table below.

Budget Line	Budget
Community environmental services	$90,000
Maui dolphin marine environment	$10,000
Weed and pest management	$83,000
Kauri dieback community co-ordinator	$47,000
On-site wastewater subsidy scheme	$50,000
Manukau Harbour Forum	$12,000
Weed control projects	$21,000
Total	$313,000

Table Two: Initial Local environment development budget lines 2015/2016

6. Of these, the following remains to be allocated to 2015/2016 projects

Remaining budgets	Amount still to be allocated
Community environmental services	$4,000
Weed and pest management	$9,000
Māui dolphin marine environment	$10,000
Weed control projects	$21,000
Total	$44,000

Table Three: Local environment development budget lines 2015/2016 yet to be allocated

7. Three proposed projects have been identified in relation to these budgets.

Titirangi community weed management project

8. Under Our unique natural environments are healthy and restored the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plan 2014 seeks to achieve ‘connecting with nature, with people adopting responsible lifestyles’ by ‘partnering with community organisations’. It also seeks to achieve an integrated approach to the control of pests and weeds. The Plan identifies that the Local Board wants ‘people to have pride in our suburban environments…We can support this by making sure our local streets and parks are free of weeds, pests, and rubbish…We will work with our communities and local organisations on projects to encourage pride in how our neighbourhoods appear and are looked after.’

9. The Waitākere Ranges Strategic Weed Management Plan (WRSWMP) recommends that the Board investigates partnership relationships with local environmental and community groups to improve coordination and ensure efforts are targeted to areas where greatest ecological gain can be made (recommendation 35).

10. Titirangi is identified as one of a number of places in the eastern foothills which is an obvious priority for community group action to remove weeds from public and private land in conjunction with Auckland Transport, Council, WRLB and external funding agencies. It is identified as having a ‘very wide range of weed species and infestations…with a very significant weed vector risk.’ It is also identified as typically not a high priority for programme funding entirely by Council.

11. In the course of scoping a potential project to clear rubbish and weeds in Titirangi the Board was made aware of an existing project of the Gecko New Zealand Trust, which is seeking support from the wider community, local business, council departments, landowners and non-government organisations to ‘restore the native bush heritage in Titirangi village by carrying out a targeted weed removal and plant restoration in several key sites around the central village, and promote deeper community connection and participations in environmental learning and stewardship.

12. This aim aligns with both the Local Board Plan and the WRSWMP. Independently of the Board Gecko has raised some funding outside council, and is expected to continue to pursue alternative funding sources.

13. Based on discussions between board portfolio holders and Gecko Trust regarding the scope of this project, and review of the project proposal costings by staff it is proposed that Gecko Trust be allocated $21,000 from the Weed control projects budget and $1,500 from the Weed and pest management budget 2015/2016 to carry out a community weed removal and planting project in Titirangi village.

14. Attachment A contains the Revitalising Titirangi Village Project proposal.

Seaweek Event/s

15. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plan 2014 highlights water quality issues, and recognises the importance of the Manukau Harbour and other marine environments.

16. Seaweek 2016 is a national event focusing on learning from the sea that will take place from Saturday 27 February to Sunday 6 March 2016. The theme will be ‘Toiora te Moana – Toiora te Tangata – Healthy Seas, Healthy People’.

17. It is proposed that the Local Board pursue a local opportunity to highlight marine issues through an event at Seaweek, at a cost of up to $3,000 from the Maui dolphin / marine environment budget at the discretion of the portfolio holder and the Chair.

Enviroschool Signs

18. The Enviroschools Programme is a long standing whole-school and early childhood centre approach which has been active in the Auckland region since 2002. The programme encourages young people to actively participate to help create a sustainable future for the Auckland region. The programme integrates sustainability into the whole of school and early childhood centre life and provides rich learning opportunities and a range of related environmental, educational, economic and social benefits. Students can take action to improve their surrounding natural environment and or implement sustainable living practises such as reducing waste, water and energy usage.

19. New signs have been developed which will show the early childhood centres and schools’ commitment to sustainability and highlight the growing network of Enviroschools which are supported by Auckland Council. The development of these signs has been initiated in response to a growing demand from schools and early childhood centres across New Zealand to have some way of publicly highlighting their engagement in the Enviroschools programme.

20. It is proposed that Waitākere Ranges Local Board allocates $1469.00 from the community environmental services budget to produce 13 signs that highlight the achievements of Waitākere Ranges schools involved in the Enviroschools programme, noting that the signs must display the Waitākere Ranges Local Board logo.

Remaining budget to be allocated to 2015/2016 projects

21. Subject to allocations per recommendations the budget remaining to be allocated will be as outlined in table below.

Remaining budgets	Amount still to be allocated
Community environmental services	$2,531
Weed and pest management	$7,500
Māui dolphin marine environment	$7,000
Weed control projects	$0
Total	$17,031

Table Four: Anticipated Local environment development budget lines 2015/2016 remaining.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

22. The projects align to the priorities in the Local Board Plan 2014-17 and will help to implement it. The scope of the projects and allocated funding were considered in portfolio by the Local Board members at various dates, and the recommendations have been prepared in response to the feedback from this meeting and subsequent communications with the Local Board Chair and Environment Portfolio Holder.

Māori impact statement

23. It is recognised that environmental management has integral links with the mauri of the environment and concepts of kaitiakitanga.

Implementation

24. This Titirangi Community Weed Management Project and the Enviroschools project have been discussed with key Environmental Services staff. There is sufficient funding available across local environment development budgets to allocate the funds.

25. The Revitalising Titirangi Village Project will be delivered by Gecko Trust NZ. The Enviroschools project will be coordinated by the council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services department.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Titirangi Village Restoration Proposal (Gecko Trust)	69

Signatories

Authors	Raewyn Curran – Senior Local Board Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Review of the Food Safety Bylaw 2013

File No.: CP2015/26018

Purpose

1. To seek the local board’s views regarding proposals to retain the grading provision of the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 and require the display of food safety grade certificates.

Executive Summary

2. From 1 March 2016 the Food Act 2014 (“the Act”) will replace the Food Act 1981 and Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 over a three year transition period. The Act also requires the amendment of existing food safety bylaws to ensure consistency. A formal public consultation process is not required for this bylaw review.

3. Staff analysis has identified that most of the existing Food Safety Bylaw 2013 (“the Bylaw”) provisions can be revoked and will be regulated by the Act and subsequent regulations.

4. National food safety grading will not be implemented through the new Act.

5. Staff propose to retain the grading provision of the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 and require the display of food safety grade certificates. Staff consider that the mandatory display of food safety grade certificates provides an incentive for food operators to proactively improve and maintain the safety of their food and enables customers to make informed choices.

6. A proposed amended bylaw will be presented to the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee in February 2016 followed by the Governing Body for consideration. The views of local boards will be presented in the accompanying report.

Recommendations

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Endorses the proposal to retain the grading provision of the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 and require the display of food safety grade certificates.

Comments

Background

The Food Act 2014

7. The Food Act 2014 (“the Act”) will come into effect on 1 March 2016. It will replace the Food Act 1981 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 over a three year transition period. The Act will introduce significant improvements to the way that food safety is addressed by food businesses across New Zealand.

8. The primary duty of ensuring food safety will be the responsibility of food businesses, including food operators of mobile shops and food stalls at markets. For most businesses, this will involve a new requirement to document their procedures which will be audited by the council.

9. Businesses that prepare food with a high risk to food safety will be required to operate under a Food Control Plan. In most cases, a business subject to a Food Control Plan will be required to register with their local council. This enables councils to manage compliance activities and identify operators’ understanding of food safety.

10. The Act introduces new registration and auditing requirements for food businesses that operate from school tuckshops, childcare centres, work cafeterias and marae.

11. Businesses or charities that sell food for community purposes or to raise funds will be exempt from registration and auditing requirements for up to 20 occasions per year (e.g. sausage sizzles or home baking at school fairs).

Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013

12. On 23 May 2013, the council’s Governing Body adopted the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 (“the Bylaw”) to replace seven legacy council food safety bylaws (Resolution Number: GB/2013/47).

13. The Bylaw was introduced to minimise potential food safety risks associated with the sale of food. The Bylaw provides the council with powers related to:

· the closure of unhygienic or unsafe food premises

· minimum standards for staff training in basic food hygiene

· grading of food premises

· standards for preparing, handling and labelling food sold to private premises, and

· operating food stalls and mobile food shops.

14. The Bylaw requires each registered food business to display a food safety grade certificate, which the council issues following its inspection of the premises, pursuant to the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. The certificate shows customers the premises’ food safety level.

Discussion

Impact of the Food Act 2014 on the Food Safety Bylaw 2013

15. The new Act requires the council to amend its Bylaw to ensure consistency with the new regulatory regime for food businesses. In June 2015, the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee directed council staff to undertake a review of the Bylaw (Resolution Number: RBC/2015/19).

16. Staff have now completed this review and recommend that the council revoke most of the Bylaw as the relevant activities will instead be regulated by the Act and subsequent regulations. The exception to this is the food grading system.

17. National food safety grading will not be implemented through the new Act, although there is potential for the development of a national scheme after 2019. Staff recommend retaining the grading provision (with minor amendments) of the Bylaw and require the display of food safety grade certificates.

18. There would be no additional cost to businesses for a food safety grade certificate. The grade assessment would be undertaken at the same time as the audit required by the new Act.

19. The benefits of a food safety grading scheme is that it provides:

· food operators with an incentive to take responsibility for the safety of the food they sell and to proactively improve and maintain the safety of their food

· the public with concise information on a business’ level of food safety so that customers can make informed choices.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

20. This report seeks the views of local boards on retaining the Food Safety Bylaw 2013 to require the display of a food safety grade certificate for food businesses registered with the council.

21. The views of local boards will be presented to the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee and the Governing Body in February 2016.

22. Local boards were engaged on the consolidation of legacy food safety bylaws in 2011 and feedback received at the time indicated there was general support for the grading of food premises. Some local board members expressed concern about the standards applying to food sold from stalls at markets.

Māori impact statement

23. Engagement with mana whenua and mataawaka is currently underway.

24. Food prepared and served on a marae that is not provided as part of a commercial activity is outside the scope of this bylaw review. In addition, registration and auditing requirements of the new Act do not apply to the preparation and sale of food for the purpose of raising funds up to 20 times a year.

25. Food businesses that operate from marae, for instance catering at events more than 20 times per year, will be subject to registration and auditing requirements under the Act in the same way as other food businesses.

Implementation

26. The Governing Body is responsible for making a decision on the review of the Food Safety Bylaw 2013. A proposed amended bylaw will be presented to the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee in February 2016. It will then be considered by the Governing Body. The views of Local Boards and targeted stakeholders will be presented in the accompanying report.

27. The method for determining the criteria of food safety grades is an operational matter and is outside the scope of this bylaw review.

28. Registration fees for food businesses are also out of scope of this bylaw review. For information purposes, proposed fees under the new Act were presented to the Finance and Performance Committee at their meeting on 19 November 2015. The consultation period on proposed fees will be from 20 November to 21 December 2015. Current registration and inspection fees will continue to apply for existing food businesses until they transition to the new regulatory regime.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Emma Pilkington - Policy Analyst

Belinda Hansen - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Kataraina Maki - GM - Community & Social Policy

Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Waitakere Ranges Local Board Feedback

Proposed Regional Pest Management Plan (the RPMP) Discussion Document

Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area: Case for Special Status

1. Pest and pest plant management are priority areas for the Waitākere Ranges Local Board (the Board). Concern about weed and pest management throughout the Waitākere Ranges is also a key message from our communities.

2. Particular areas within the Auckland region do have a case for an enhanced and specific site-led pest programme. The Proposed Regional Pest Management Plan Discussion Document should be cognisant of the 2008 Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area (WRHA) Act which gives the area national priority and confers particular governance responsibilities and obligations on both governing body and the local board. The WRHA requires better funding in recognition of the scale of the pest-management problems in the area, and the obligations and responsibilities imposed on it by Act of Parliament.

3. A site-led approach is particularly appropriate for the WRHA, for example in relation to control of climbing asparagus and wild ginger, and where particular outcomes feed into the WRHA monitoring report. However, although the discussion document raises the idea of ‘site-led’ control (definitions on Page 14) what this means in practice is not immediately clear. What is the physical scale of the definition? Would it mean, for example, Huia? Something smaller? Is it permanent or temporary? Where do larger areas or zones like Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and the Hauraki Gulf fit within this model? A general approach such as that seen in the Treasure Island model in the Hauraki Gulf should be explored.

4. Recognising the special status conferred on the area by the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Act, the Board has commissioned the ‘Waitākere Ranges Strategic Weed Management Plan’. It sets out a series of weed management recommendations specific to the Waitākere Ranges Area and these should also be taken account in the new RPMP. http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/LocalBoards/WaitakereRangeslocalboard/Documents/waitakererangesstrategicweedmanagementplan.pdf

General Comments

5. All pests and pest plants identified in the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007 – 2012 should have at least the same status and corresponding levels of control in any new RPMP. The RPMP should not just consider removal or otherwise of species from the current list, but also the levels of the intervention required in each case. The approach identified in the consultation document appears to throw in the towel where pests and pest plants are quite widespread, but the object should always be elimination even where the action falls short.

6. The pest management programmes identified in table 14 of the discussion document must be clarified according to what they actually mean in practice in order to determine an appropriate site-led approach. Until then, it is difficult to make comment. For example, does Progressive Containment actually translate as ‘complaints-based’? Immediacy of need is also an indicator when addressing actions and the appropriate scale of approach for pest management, and this in turn affects staffing and enforcement.

7. Section 18 of the (previous) RPMP should be amended to include the legal responsibility for land occupiers to be bound by the same pest plant provisions that are imposed upon Auckland Transport for road reserves, to a minimum of 10 metres back from their common boundary.

8. Auckland Transport should itself be more active in relation to addressing weed management in the road corridor of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area. Note that there is no current compulsion via an appropriate service level agreement for Auckland Transport to manage pest animals within those road corridors, and that should be changed.

9. Nursery hygiene standards should be adopted for all nurseries within the WRHA or any supplying plants for planting in natural areas in the WRHA.

Auckland Council’s role in pest management

10. Council funding needs to be made relevant to the scale of the problem a local board is facing. At present there is nothing in the funding mechanism to address the enhanced needs faced by local boards with significant ecological areas. The Waitākere Ranges Heritage area requires better funding in recognition of the scale of the problems in the area, and the obligations and responsibilities imposed on it by Act of Parliament, for example, where dealing with public and private properties and in parks reserves requiring maintenance.

11. Council’s regional leadership functions best manifest themselves in providing strategic direction, resources, supporting land owners, and in providing delivery and leadership for stakeholders, including Council Controlled Organisations.

12. The Council should encourage a fully integrated range of weed and pest management options, from hand pulling upwards. There is a growing community desire to adopt techniques other than the use of herbicides where possible – i.e. as demonstrated by the Waitākere Ranges weed poster.

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/LocalBoards/WaitakereRangeslocalboard/Documents/weedposterworstweedsinwrhapril2015.pdf

13. As has happened in the past in the Waitākere Ranges, Council also needs to draw upon resources to provide a greater level of support for enabling community projects, for example, by using a single person doorknocker throughout the area, and making more staff available to support community programmes. Currently staff are spread too thinly.

Pest Plant Issues

14. How widespread weeds should be managed depends on how damaging a pest plant is in any specific place. There is an issue where they are supplanting native habitat, and an assessment of the likely level of harm and the threat level that that it poses is also relevant. The approach taken, including to how a ‘site’ is defined by the new RPMP, must consider how a pest plant is spread. For example, gorse spread is very local, but something like bone seed can go for kilometres. It might be controlled on Waiheke Island, but there will be ongoing issues if Tamaki Drive is not controlled as well. In the Waitākere Ranges wild ginger is spread by birds or by dumping. It will be very difficult to deal with it everywhere but in particular areas, e.g. Huia, it could be eradicated. However, this places pressure on Council’s own budgets for weed control.

15. It is also not appropriate to play widespread weeds off against, for example, new and emergent weeds when determining an approach. It is more important to take a balanced approach.

16. Having being identified as a major threat to ecological areas in the regional park, climbing asparagus is currently the subject of a major local board control programme in coastal villages. In recognition of it importance it should be identified as a sustained control programme, an eradication programme or even a site-led pest programme within the wider WRHA. We would like to discuss this before the release of the draft plan because of uncertainty of the implications of the specific pest management terms.

17. Any new RPMP should retain the rule to keep gorse 20m clear of a boundary when a neighbour has cleared it – see pg. 60 of the current plan.

18. In Waitākere Ranges the plant taxa included below should be categorised as Eradication (formerly total control) Pest Plants:

· Phragmites karka (Common reed) not included on discussion document list: ‘australis’ already on list

· Equisetum spp (Horsetail) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Drosera spp (exotic spp only) (Cape sundew) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Kennedia rubicunda (Dusky coral-pea) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Passiflora apetala (Bat-wing passion flower) ‘apetala’ not included on list

· Macfadyena unguis-cati (Cats paw, Chilean Creeper) in list as ‘surveillance’ ‘Cats claw creeper’

· Ochna serrulata (Mickey Mouse plant) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Acanthus mollius (bear’s breeches)

19. In Waitākere Ranges a site-led approach should be taken to the following coastal areas:

· Permanent suppression (probably eradication) of Agapanthus praecox from the WRHA coastline.

· Permanent suppression (probably eradication) of pampas on the coastline from Whatipu to Muriwai,

· Control of the pampas infestation on the northern end of the Awhitu Peninsula to prevent re-infestation of the WRHA.

· African Pigs Ears needs elevation in Anawhata

20. Auckland Council should also consider adopting local or area eradication programmes for the following taxa (subject to CBA):

· Pteris cretica (Cretan brake) in list as ‘current research organism’

· Actinidia deliciosa (wild populations only) (Kiwifruit) listed as ‘Actindia species’: containment in natural habitats throughout region

· Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligator weed) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree) not in list

· Cotyledon orbiculata (African pigs ear) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Fuchsia boliviana (Bolivian fusha) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Gazania linearis, Gazania rigens (Gazania) not in list

· Gunnera tinctoria (Chilean rhubarb) in list as ‘surveillance’

· Myoporum insulare (Tasmanian ngaio, Boobialla) in list as ‘surveillance’, including hybrids

19. The following should be considered for elevation in the new plan:

o Polygal myrtifoli (sweet pea shrub)

o Mexican daisy. This is a significant pest plan on cliffs in coastal areas.

20. The following should be noted as needing further research:

· Norfolk Pine needs research on its invasive characteristics, e.g. whether it is becoming weedier and / or needs a site-led response in coastal villages.

· Mexican daisy Erigeron karvinskianus should be included as a national priority for biological control research.

21. Bungalow palm should also be made a pest plant, noting its demonstrated invasiveness and that when it is small it is very similar to the nikau palm.

22. We are not clear about the possibility of including kauri dieback but if it fits within the legal framework we would support rules around control.

Pest Animal Issues

23. Argentine ants should continue to be included in RPMP where they pose a threat, as they pose an expanding threat to nesting birds and insect invertebrates.

24. In the Waitākere Ranges Heritage area and other places of significant ecological value we would support goat permit zones.

25. The RPMP needs to include some actions around domestic cats in the Waitakere Ranges Site-led area. The Ranges are unique in that a number of coastal villages are surrounded by parkland and residential properties about the perimeter of the parkland. There are a number of intensive pest-control programmes in the Ranges, most notably Ark in the Park, which involve release of rare species. There are ambitions to release further species, including kiwi. Communities in the Waitakere Ranges need to begin to take steps to minimise the impact of domestic cats on fauna.

26. Overseas, some settlements near conservation areas ban cats. While a “last cat” policy is an option for the Waitakere Ranges, at this stage we are recommending that there is an active programme of education about the impact of domestic cats and encouragement to cat owners to take steps to prevent their cats causing harm. This could include a programme to encourage cat owners to:

· Keep cats inside at night, recognising that some cats hunt in the daytime as well as night

· Put a bell on their cats

· Take other steps to control their cats

· Voluntarily not replace cats when they die

· Neuter their cats (council could offer incentives to owners)

· Feed their cats well.

27. We are seeking a programme such as this within the RPMP. We also seek that the Council put in place a policy on stray cats, investigate a micro-chipping programme, and investigate a prohibition on future catteries in the Heritage Area.

28. Wasps are an increasing problem and need adequate rules for their control.

29. The board would also like to make a strong plea for possum indices in natural areas of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area to be maintained at two per cent Residual Trap Catch or below in perpetuity. A research programme needs to be developed to assess the scale of this problem regionally.

Pest management in the Hauraki Gulf and Marine Environment

30. We would support the position of the Gulf local boards in determining how the special nature of the Tikapa Moana / Te Maoanui a Toi – the Hauraki Gulf should be recognised in the new RPMP.

31. We also support the propose Auckland Unitary Plan’s introduction of rules regarding vessel befouling, and in-water hulling in sensitive environments as a means of pathway management.

32. However there needs to be more emphasis on the Manukau Harbour and the West Coast, where it is important that more baseline monitoring is carried out.

The future of pest control

33. The policies of Council need to take a long-term view in relation to how best to support pest-management by community groups. The council itself needs to put more emphasis on the education and providing resources at low-levels, such as bait, equipment and bins. Auckland Transport also needs community focused resource in this area in order to support communities that want to do work in the road corridor.

34. The new RPMP should also provide for site-led programmes for community groups, but not as an excuse for the council to do nothing.

Going forward

35. We look forward to commenting on the draft and would like to offer to discuss any of the points we have raised as the draft is being developed.

Raewyn Curran

Senior Policy Advisor

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Chairperson's Report - December 2015

File No.: CP2015/26337

1. A significant focus of the Board over the past month has been on a number of submissions. Firstly, we had a significant submission on the Regional Pest Management Plan. The last one was in 2007, and since then there has been a change in legislation which set up a whole new biosecurity framework.

2. Our task was to make sure the new plan carried on the same level of control as the old one, but also suggest new approaches.

3. We recommended that the whole of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area should be a site-led programme, and that within that, particular plant and animal pests could have higher importance than the rest of the region.

4. The submission is in this agenda. The submission was in response to a discussion document. The next stage is for the Council to release a draft Plan, at which stage there is a formal submission process and hearings.

5. The major submission process we have been involved in was around the forthcoming Annual Plan process. The Governing Body wanted Local Board views on four topics:

a) A greater differential for large property rural ratepayers. As the Board had hosted a meeting on this, and a motion from the floor opposing it was passed unanimously, we thought we were on good grounds to oppose this.

b) A proposal that business owners pay a greater proportion of the flat transport levy that the Governing Body adopted when finalising the Long-Term Plan earlier this year. We supported this, as at the moment a large business owner is paying the same $100 levy as a residential ratepayer.

c) A proposal around rates for Maori freehold land and customary land. We did not comment on this.

d) Uniform Annual General Charge – we supported it staying at the current level.

6. We also get the opportunity to advocate to the Governing Body on things not currently funded (or inadequately funded) that we would like to see funded, and went in with 5 main points. We only had 10 minutes to present this and at 3.30 pm on a Friday had a meagre audience of councillors to talk to, so we kept it brief. Our points were:

a) Greater recognition and adequate funding for the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area. We called for more consistent funding for the board on the heritage area programme (our funding drops by 43% in 2017/18); a section within the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Fund specifically for the heritage area; more consistent recognition of the heritage area in plans.

b) Adequate funding for Auckland Transport to manage roadside weeds in the heritage area. Auckland Transport has told us that it lacks funding to carry out much roadside control in conservation areas, and we are concerned that the road corridor acts as a route for weed spread.

c) Possum indices at 2% Residual Trap Catch. This was the old target before amalgamation. Under Auckland Council, it has risen to 5% and the Board is concerned at the impact this is having on native vegetation and wildlife, particularly as there are planned releases of native species within Ark in the Park mainland island.

d) Regional retrofit scheme for septic tanks. The regional stormwater team and the local board have been cooperating on actions to improve the quality of West Coast lagoons that are known to being contaminated from malfunctioning septic tanks. One of the ingredients in the plan was a loan scheme similar to the retrofitting insulation run by Council. This seems to have slipped off the regional work programme; we’d like to see it back on, as it is one of the incentives needed to get faulty septic tanks fixed.

e) Funding for revitalisation of Glen Eden town centre. The old perennial. We’re seeking resources to put together the business case to achieve the funding we need to improve the town centre, particularly connectivity between Glen Mall and the train station.

Operation Speedo 10^th Birthday

7. It was a real buzz to attend the 10^th anniversary of Operation Speedo of 27 November at Henderson Valley Primary.

8. This collaborative programme between police, surf lifesaving, St Johns, First response, Fire service and civil defence, has reached its 10^th year and goes from strength to strength.

9. It started as an effort to cut down crime, particularly car break-ins at places like beaches and Fairy Falls. It has widened out and the overall aim is to make sure visitors to our West Coast have a great time and come home safe and sound.

10. Led by staff member Michael Alofa, it’s a model programme that other parts of the country are looking at, and the Local Board is proud to sponsor it.

11. After a few speeches, we joined the kids of the school, for some siren serenades from police and other emergency vehicles, a sausage sizzle and some collective singing.

Michael Alofa, Fiona Anderson First Response Piha, Board Chair Sandra Coney, Acting Area Commander Inspector Claire Humble, Board member Steve Tollestrup

Kids get to hug the Civil Defence dog, Stan

P1050715 - Copy.JPG

All aboard the IRB

Steve Tollestrup with park rangers: John Cranfield, Mike Feather, Mark Maxlow, Reg Phillips (regional parks)

Laingholm Roundabout 50^th anniversary

12. As we went to press the Local Board was pleased to join folk from Laingholm in the collating of the Roundabout and a celebration of 50 years of publication. This is a remarkable achievement and the Board members were grateful to be able to attend this milestone, hear from the founders and share the cake.

Collating the Roundabout in the Laingholm Hall

June Raw baked the cake

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the Chairperson’s report.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Portfolio Update: Member Sandra Coney

File No.: CP2015/26328

Purpose

1. This report provides an opportunity for Member Sandra Coney to give an update with regards to activity within her portfolio areas.

2. Portfolio holders are responsible for leading policy development in their portfolio area, proposing and developing project concepts, overseeing agreed projects within budgets, being active advocates, accessing and providing information and advice.

3. Member Coney has lead for the portfolios of Historic Heritage/Character and Parks area.

Executive Summary

Parks Portfolio Report – December 2015

The last couple of months in parks have been quite eventful. Some of the highlights:

Waitakere Quarry Open Day

4. We were thrilled that about 100 people arrived to have a “walk through” of the old Waitakere Quarry site on 22 November. There has been a lot of concern over the future of the site, so there was great interest in the contouring that had been carried out by Perry’s who had the contract for quarrying and are responsible for rehabilitation.

5. Reaction was positive, with plenty of good feedback and interest in the site. Perry’s has eco-sourced plants being grown for planting out in the autumn. They are required to plant with natives and control weeds until the plants reach canopy closure of 75% at which time management of the site returns to Auckland Council.

6. In the short-term, local parks will have management responsibility, but in the longer term it makes sense for the area to be joined with the abutting regional parks and managed by regional parks rangers.

7. The major use of the site once it is open to the public will be informal recreation, such as walking. The Local Board will have to go through a bylaw process to address the question of access by dogs and their owners.

Training Equipment in Parrs Park

8. A good many positive comments about new exercise equipment in Parrs Park. I’ve also seen it being used as I’ve driven past so go along and take a look. We’d love to do this in more parks, and will be looking at this, though it does come down to the size of budgets.

Titirangi Reserve greenspace

9. We’re not sure how it started but we‘d like to see if it’s possible to introduce some greenspace into Titirangi War Memorial reserve. The hall is a very attractive building and the Board has spent money recently on refurbishment and repair. Likewise the community centre and play centre are attractive buildings. Currently they are hemmed in by cars and joined by ashphalt. We’d like to see if it is possible to reconfigure the carparking to enable some connecting green space to be created, that can be used for outside sitting or playing by people using the built facilities. It may not work, but it is worth having a look.

Spray-free parks

10. We were delighted when two local residents came in and said they would like to take over a local Glen Eden Park and maintain it as spray-free.

11. It turns out this should not be too difficult. The particular park would simply be withdrawn from the contracts pertaining to that area, and there would be a simple MOU with the Council. There are some details still to be worked out, but we really welcome this initiative.

12. We see this as a pilot, and next year would like to launch the concept more widely in our parks network.

Local Board Rubbish Bin policy

13. At Piha, the replacement of old asbestos containing bins with attractive timber faced bins met with compliments from some, but concerns from some locals. There had been some recycle bins among the ones removed and some locals asked why recycle bins were not replaced.

14. It has been a long time since the recycle bins at Piha have been used for recycling. Apparently, people who discard rubbish in the bins are not too picky about where they put it, so that rubbish in the recycle bins was invariably contaminated and all went to landfill. Various people pointed out that recycling was commonplace in European towns and that we lagged behind.

15. A rubbish expert said online that actually New Zealanders are not too good about recycling in public places. They are OK with recycling their own household rubbish, but not so good in public places.

16. Although there was a call from some locals to replace the recycle bins, there weren’t many useful suggestions as to how to get people to recycle. There was not much point in reinstalling recycle bins and then taking all the rubbish to landfill.

17. Regional parks, which have carparks and major entrances at Wai o Kahu (Glen Esk), North Piha and Tasman Lookout have a “Pack in, Pack Our” policy, so for many years have not provided any bins, expecting people to take home their rubbish. It’s the same at all regional parks.

18. The Local Board has recycle bins at town centres such as Glen Eden.

With children who received certificates at the Parr’s Park recycle event

19. Meanwhile Local Parks embarked on an innovative new project at Parrs Park. They worked with local schoolchildren to invite park users to take home their recyclables and dispose of them in their home bins.

20. Creative Bins Encouraging Recycling turned ordinary bins into colourful bins with artwork from the children. But this was not just a pretty look. It was a scientific project, as recyclables before the project were measured, and they will be again at some point after the intervention, to see if it made a difference.

21. We had a launch at Parrs Park on 9 November where the children received caps, certificates and small gifts for their efforts.

22. What emerged from all this was that the Waitakere Ranges Local Board needs to set a consistent policy across the Board area. Do we provide recycling bins, but that would have to be accompanied by a campaign to get people to recycle; do we encourage people to take their recycling home; or do we “do a Regional Parks” and tell people their rubbish is their business to deal with. We’ll get onto that in the New Year. In the meantime, we’ll make sure we have a significant focus on recycling at some of the larger events that will be happening on the Coast in the New Year.

Aquatic signs on the West Coast

23. The Local Parks team had a review done of water safety and hazard signs for Piha/North Piha and Bethells Beach as the old signs (installed about 2004) are wearing out. Now there is a new Australasian standard and there was some consternation when the new version was seen.

24. While the symbols are not too different, the review recommended using colours of black, red and yellow on a white background.

25. At Piha, it was also recommended that some access ways were removed, especially at mid-beach.

26. The Board has worked with locals at Bethells to arrive at sensible locations for the signs and a similar process will be followed at Piha.

27. While the Board takes the review of signs seriously, it also has to consider how the final outcome accords with the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act, which requires the Board to consider the Act in its decision-making. The Act requires Council to protect the heritage features of the area, which includes such things as landscapes and the naturalness of the area.

28. The Council will need to lodge resource consent applications for the signs, so they will not change overnight. In the meantime some of the most worn signs are being replaced, but “like with like”.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the Portfolio Update from Member Sandra Coney.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Portfolio update: Member Denise Yates

File No.: CP2015/25236

Purpose

1. This report provides an opportunity for Deputy Chair Denise Yates to give an update with regards to activity within her portfolio areas.

3. Member Yates has lead for the portfolios of Arts and Culture, Community Facilities, Libraries and Events.

Executive Summary

Arts

4. We are expecting a full report on the recent Open Studios Weekend, early in the New Year. However informal and semi-formal feedback identifies an extremely popular and successful event for both the Arts community and the public alike.

5. The studios I visited reported lots of visitors who seemed to enjoy visiting artists in their own environment, though few immediate sales were made over the 2 days.

6. Well worth the effort was the general comment.

7. Planning is well advanced for an Updated version of Art on the Beach, which we have called Coastal Art Festival. This will be held at Piha where we know the sand is suitable for the purpose.

8. We will be assessing the sand at other West Coast and Manukau Harbour beaches with a view to moving the event around to other beaches from year to year.

Events

9. Planning is well advanced for a free “Movies in the Park” event at Duck Park on Friday 5 February 2016. We had planned a ‘Star Wars’ showing but were disappointed that the owners of the film would not license us to show the film, so our plans for a ‘dress-up” Gala event were thwarted.

10. Instead we will be showing “Despicable Me” and hope that parents will join in the spirit of the event and help their kids to dress up as Minions!

11. This is a very popular film, and if the event goes as well or better than this year’s event it will be well worth attending and the kids will have a Ball!! See you there!

12. Planning is progressing well for the Kauri Karnival. This will be held at Parrs Park on the meadow, on Sunday 13 March. Following our inaugural KK event earlier this year, we have eliminated one or 2 items (e.g. chain-sawing) and have several new activities lined up, and lots of different options around food. See you there!

13. In February we plan to hold an Open Day at Waikumete Cemetery. More on this later. Watch out for flyers and signs about these events as well as checking them out on line.

14. Of course there are many other events organised by the community and by council departments, such as the event at Parrs Park to celebrate Creative Rubbish Bins (a Parks event), the Glen Eden Christmas Parade organised by the Glen Eden people, and earlier the Glen Eden Clean-up Day organised by the BID and the amazing Going West Festival, organised by the Going West Trust.

15. Both the Christmas Parade and Going West receive funds from the local board, as a number of community events.

Facilities, including Libraries

16. Improvements to the Titirangi Hall have brought nothing but compliments, and the Board plans now to freshen up outside the Hall and Community Centre to make the carpark area more attractive. Currently entry to the Library, Hall and Community House is rather bleak. We hope to create some green areas and with them some ability for users of the Community House in particular to sit outside in a much more attractive space than the current situation. With regard to the Hall, we are told that the dishwasher is a very old species and needs replacement urgently.

17. Improvements to the Ceramco Park Hall have similarly made a huge difference. We are considering to build an outside toilet there, too, to cater for families using the play equipment.

18. Of course the toilet at Titirangi village remains very much on our radar too, and with the sale of the land on the corner of South Titirangi Road, we will have to get cracking on a replacement for the toilet, a task we have been discussing for several years. We’d like to build something a bit “arty” in keeping with the Lodell House/Te Uru precinct.

19. There will be improvements to the front entrance to the Glen Eden library and a new deck built at Titirangi library quite soon.

20. Have you checked out all the new activities at our libraries? - well worth a look on line to see what’s happening there!

Bonus

21. Sometimes I get a little bonus when I pick up something from somebody else’s portfolio. Last week I was delighted to attend an Enviroschools celebration when pre-schools, primary and intermediate school from across the region were recognised for their environmental activities.

22. Laingholm Kindergarten received a Silver Preschool Award, Konini School received a Silver Schools Award and Woodlands Park School who had won a Green –Gold Award three years ago had been reviewed and their Green-Gold Award renewed. Congratulations to all 3! I had presented Awards to Konini and Woodlands Park schools in the past, so was thrilled to be part of their recognition again, and delighted to see the Laingholm Kindergarten getting recognition too.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the portfolio update from Deputy Chair Denise Yates.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Portolio update - Member Steve Tollestrup

File No.: CP2015/25234

Purpose

1. This report provides an opportunity for Member Steve Tollestrup to give an update with regards to activity within his portfolio areas.

3. Member Tollestrup has lead for the portfolios of Community Development, Economic Development, Place-making/Urban Renewal, Ethnic, Peace and Safety.

Executive Summary

Community Development

Empowered Communities

4. The Empowered Communities approach which is intended to support local community decision-making and engagement was launched in late September. Key to the Empowered Community Approach is the seconding of a local ‘Strategic Broker’ to each Local Board.

5. This position will advise and support community groups with agreed initiatives. It has been announced that Ms Claire Louisse has been appointed to this position on the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. Claire has worked closely with the Local Board in Local Area Plan development as well as Glen Eden town centre activation and future urban design opportunities. I look forward to working with Claire in her new role.

6. I also take the opportunity of thanking Jenny Tanner who has supported me with Community development programmes throughout the term and has been assigned to a Strategic Brokering role with Maungakiekie-Tamaki local board.

Swanson

7. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board funded and supported a further Swanson community meeting in August that was facilitated by Mr Jim Deirs, a specialist in community building and innovation. Jim Deirs was part of the community organising for Christchurch post-earthquake. His presentation, to a group of 55 residents provided case-studies and overview of communities elsewhere working to achieve transformation without undermining community values and heritage features. This meeting was followed up with a second meeting from Jim’s colleague Denise Bijoux in November. Working with community members present it was suggested that a community Heritage Survey of Swanson, supported by Local Board would be an achievable project to begin as it would bring both old and new residents together for a common goal and mutual sense of belonging.

Leading in Community

8. Funded through the Local Board, Community Waitakere has recognised the need to develop and strengthen local community leadership. Community Waitakere is running two eight week ‘Leading in Community’ courses during the financial year. I have been working with Community Waitakere giving some assistance and feedback on the courses and content. In November I led one of their modules focused on leadership as well as a basic introduction to community based fundraising. Having worked in the fund-raising sector for many years I stress the need for community groups to avoid single source funding and have a wider and more diverse income base to avoid dependency.

Housing

9. Access to affordable housing is an Auckland wide concern. The Local Board is aware that issues of overcrowding and poor quality housing exist in pockets of our board area, particularly Glen Eden. Remedies such as increasing housing stock and maintenance is beyond any budget of the local board. However we do continue to advocate for affordable and decent housing. I attended a briefing hosted by Community Waitakere of the latest Salvation Army Housing Report presented by Alan Johnston of the Salvation Army Policy and Research Unit. The following day Auckland City Chief Economist Chris Parker released his report, ‘Housing supply, choice and affordability’ and a summary of his findings was presented to local boards which I attended. Alan Johnston focused on the need for government led building programme and strategy with improved social housing and assistance for access to affordable housing and accommodation. Chris Parker considered increased high density housing spread more evenly throughout the city needed to be considered. This would require improved public transport links. He also advised that the consenting process be more generous towards unique smaller housing designs. Both signalled affordability as key. Housing will be an area of increased focus in my portfolio for the coming year.

WIFI in Community Centres

10. WIFI in community hubs and centres provides important opportunities for community connectivity, access and education. Along with my colleague Denise Yates I met with Murali Kumar, of Auckland Council considering increased access to community based broadband through community houses and hubs. We identified a number of possible sites in our area and positive preliminary discussions has occurred with them. Both myself and Denise Yates accepted an invitation to look at the Wesley Digital Hub which with its sound and video suite, 3D printers and well spec’d computers. Local people, in particular youth are getting access and training support for the use of the very best of digital technology, with some taking those skills forward into employment.

West Auckland Youth Council

11. I attended the West Auckland Youth Council planning evening. The focus of planning was how could the new Empowered Communities approach help provide better access to engagement with council. Some ideas noted included support for mentoring youth council representatives on council processes, members participating as observers in council committees, as well as region wide Youth Council hui.

Economic Development

Thrive Newsletter

12. The third Thrive Newsletter targeting home-based and small sustainable businesses in the Ranges was distributed in September. Each issue is generally themed and with stories of local small business success. This most recent edition focused on the economics of the Hillary Trail in particular local suppliers and accommodation providers. The newsletter recognised the wilderness character of the trail and its need for vigilant protection, but likewise the important economic contribution it provides local communities. Thrive featured the new Council Website highlighting the Hillary Trail and local businesses. See <regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Hillary-trail>

ATEED tourism forum

13. I attended an ATEED sponsored tourism forum in late August at Te Henga Studios. The meeting was attended by a small number of tourism operators who provide opportunities and activities in the ranges and Heritage area. Along with myself representing the local board representatives from Regional Parks were also in attendance. While the forum initially focused on introductions and ‘who’s who’ with the goal of networking, the need for care and protection of the ranges and adherence to the WRHAA were quickly established. ATEED is presently trying to establish a tourism cluster group in the west. The first meeting of the Cluster in October was cancelled due to low numbers. I am however following this development with interest.

Youth Horizons

14. With my colleague Saffron Toms, I met with Rewi Chaplow of Youth Horizons with a particular interest in strengthening employment opportunities for youth in in our area. A significant limiting factor for youth employment is access to driver license training and qualification. We requested Youth Horizons prepare a proposal for the provision of driver training and support in gaining licenses.

BID

15. The use of the Safety Hub with a permanent desk and full office resources for the Business Association is working well with the Town Centre Manager keeping regular hours of attendance and providing easy access for the BID members.

16. The Local Board has provided funding and support for the BID expansion programme which is expected to more than double its present membership providing wider services and support as well as increased funding for BID activities.

17. We had a successful Glen Eden ‘Tidy Town’ organised by the Business Association and supported by the Local Board. Business owners and community pitched in for the second year in a row to provide a spring clean to the retail centre.

Safety

Operation Speedo

18. Henderson Valley Primary School was the chosen venue for the launch of this year’s 10^th anniversary of ‘Operation Speedo,’ a combined police, fire services, community, Council staff and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board effort to reduce crime and increase safety in the ranges and the west coast.

19. Crime reduction strategy will use high visibility police presence with increased patrol frequency supported by Community Patrols (CPNZ) and private security as well as resident and public awareness.

20. Along with crime reduction water safety at our beaches and rock fishing sites features high with the goal of reducing drowning and accidents. That initiative will be supported by all the Surf clubs and Watersafe Auckland.

21. With a strong El Nino forecasting hot dry winds over summer fire risk will be high in the ranges. Operation Speedo will be working closely with Fire Services in order to be able to respond immediately to any fires that suddenly flare up. Civil Defence Auckland will be active promoting community preparedness.

22. Thanks and special mention to Michael Alofa and the Operation Speedo team as well as Waitakere Police Commander Claire Humble.

Taskforce on Family Violence

23. Family violence persists in west Auckland and our Local Board area is not exempt. As part of the Taskforce on Family Violence, a coalition of Police, Council, government agencies and Community groups I have attended both meetings held during the period reported on. The meetings bring together information on resources available and collaboration for those working in the sector. Domestic violence is a core concern and issue for me personally and one that I advocate for strenuously.

24. The Local Board provided funding for the White Ribbon Day anti-violence campaign. In the past this has been a very public national action in the form of local marches. This year the strategy changed in favour of local public BBQ’s or other events with distribution of educational material and representatives present of various community groups to offer information and support.

25. The previous evening Community Waitakere and WAVES in partnership with the Hoani Waititi Marae held an ‘open mike’ event at the marae for people to share, read poetry, tells stories or present drama on the theme of domestic violence, particularly violence against women by men. It was an important and worthwhile event.

Safety Hub

26. The safety Hub has now been in place for six months and continues to develop and integrate its stake-holder groups including NZ Police, CPNZ, Pacific Patrols and the BID. The Hub is widely used by the groups for public access as well as meetings and training. The single Community Constable has found regular hours difficult because of Police deployment throughout and even beyond our local board area. We are currently in discussions with Commander Claire Humble on how this can be better addressed to meet expectations of access for local people to the Community Constable.

Ethnic Communities

Waitakere Ethnic Board

27. Through my responsibilities for Ethnic Affairs I organised a meeting between the incoming President of the Waitakere Ethnic Board Mr Boaz Habib and Damon Birchfield CEO of EcoMatters Trust to map out opportunities for Local Board funded workshops with ethnic communities and new migrants. These include sustainable living programmes, energy efficiency, recycling and waste minimisation, water conservation and edible gardening.

28. I attended the Waitakere Ethnic Board end of the year celebrations with colleagues Neil Henderson and Denise Yates. During the celebrations I had discussions with the some of the executive of WEB who were enquiring about opportunities to support introductory bush walks in the ranges for new migrants. I understand after speaking with the LB Chair, that this was once a programme run by Park’s Rangers and worth re-exploring for the future.

Waitakere Indian Association

29. I met with Mr Naveen Prakash of the Waitakere Indian Association and discussed opportunities for promotion of festivals and special ethnic events in our retail and business centres to stimulate patronage and activity as well as a sense of celebrating diversity in our community. I will be taking this up further as well as supporting dialogue between WIA and the Glen Eden BID.

Miscellaneous

30. Summer Square: The Local Board has made a decision to reallocate funding for the Summer Square to local town centre infrastructure projects. In place of the Summer Square I am working with Council staff toward planning some specific town centre community events.

31. Resident Associations: I have had regular attendance at both the Henderson Valley Residents Association and Waitakere Residents Association.

32. Citizenship ceremonies: When possible I have been attending and presenting at the West Auckland Citizenship Ceremonies.

33. Quarry Restoration Open Day: Agreement was reached with Perry Resource for the restoration of the Te Henga quarry site following its closure. Council and Perry held a morning open day to see the extent of restoration to date. On behalf of the board I visited the site and was surprised how much restoration to date has been achieved in contouring and layout before the planting stage commences.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) Receives the portfolio update from Member Steve Tollestrup

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

10 December 2015

Record of Workshop –

Waitakere Ranges Local Board

Date: Thursday, 15 October 2015

Time: 10.30am – 5.00pm

Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office

PRESENT:

Members Sandra Coney, QSO @ 11.15am

Neil Henderson

Greg Presland @ 12.30pm

Saffron Toms

Steve Tollestrup

Apology: Denise Yates, JP

MATTERS DISCUSSED:

	Item	Presenter
1	WaterCare To discuss the WaterCare response to growth and update on a range of local projects. Key discussion points: Huia No.1 Watermain Replacement – Update · The original 1940’s watermain is planned to be replaced. · Currently situated under private properties – 70 houses and 2 schools · The preferred route has been selected · Site investigations are underway: – Topographical Survey – Geophysical and Potholing (existing service identification) – Geotechnical Investigation · Design and consenting application preparation has commenced · Flyers will be sent out to community in first instances · Construction initially to focus in the western end with proposed commencement in Golf Rd in early/mid 2016 Glen Eden Wastewater update: Trenchless Pipeline Installation on Glendale Road · 12 Month Construction Programme · Extensive Traffic Management · Had a stakeholder meeting however uncertainty on dates · Site set up in Ceramco Park Harold Moody Reserve · Network Upgrade · Storage Tank · Emergency storage tank overflow in area of Glen Eden Picnic Ground · 18 Month Construction Programme Sherrybrooke Esplanade/Parrs Park · 12 Month Construction Programme Huia Water Treatment Plant Replacement - Update · Constructed at Exhibition Drive in the 1920s and upgraded in the 1940s, and now needs to be replaced · Watercare has initiated a staged review and assessment of alternatives which will take place between October 2015 and April 2016 · Watercare will work with stakeholders though the process to bring transparency and obtain feedback for final selection. · Following selection of a preferred option a design and consenting process will be undertaken in 2016/2017 · Members requested a breakdown of the Heritage building itself – how much of the existing plant will operate while the treatment is constructed. Action: Feedback from the board on a group that can help with location of the new treatment plant Officer to update the board on open day (feedback)/open sessions	Brent Evans Laine Leihan Rochelle Gill (WaterCare officers)
2	Business Improvement District (BID) policy review and transition to new BID model The new Business Improvement District (BID) policy review Key discussion points: · The process to undertake the BID policy review, including details of initial feedback from BIDS · Feedback on proposed themes and options for policy change · Progress towards transition to the new BID service delivery model on 1 July 2016. · Themes for policy change – Theme 1: Accountability – Members support the Financial Audit/Accountability check list and BID reporting to local boards – points 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 of the presentation · Themes for policy change – Theme 2: New BID establishment – How the increased minimum target rate achievable in a proposed BID area is this figure worked out – point 2.2 of the presentation – Member supports the Strategy for BID establishment and potential BID advisory panel: opportunities and may service other purposes – point 2.3 of the presentation · Themes for policy change – Theme 3: other – Members support point 3.2 of the presentation Action: Officer to provide a ‘draft Business Improvement District (BID) policy to the members in November if requested.	Rose Cosgrove Stephen Cavanagh
3	Waitakere Ranges Precinct and PAUP A briefing on changes proposed to the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Precinct (Topic 075) in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. Auckland Council is to present evidence to the independent hearing panel on 5 November 2015. Action: Board to work on response to the PAUP	Eryn Shields Warren Maclennan
4	Developing a new CDEM Plan for Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) and Local Boards working together to develop a new CDEM Plan for Auckland Key discussion points: · Local issues/challenges and proposed actions for building community resilience in communities · Local board members’ role before (as champions), during and (as leaders) at an emergency · The future of Local Boards in CDEM · Members were concerned that they’ve received no training Action: Members to provide feedback before 16 November 2015. Officer to email the Emergency Response for Piha to Chair Coney Officer	Keith Suddes
5	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
6	Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Member Greg Presland Member Neil Henderson Member Steve Tollestrup
7.0	Board only session Members only time	Members

No.	Title	Page
a View	Record of workshop - 1 October 2015	113
b View	Record of workshop - 8 October 2015	115
c View	Record of workshop - 15 October 2015	117
d View	Record of workshop - 22 October 2015	121
e View	Record of workshop - 29 October 2015	123
f View	Record of workshop - 12 November 2015	125
g View	Record of workshop - 19 November 2015	127

	Item	Presenter
1	Annual Plan – Workshop 2 LDI priorities for 2016/2017 prior to Annual Plan consultation on key priorities and/or options with the community.	Glenn Boyd David Rose Supporting Officers: Matt Foster Jenny Tanner Xanthe Jujnovich Kevin Marriott Kaitlyn White Jo Brewster
2	Climbing asparagus focused weed management project: Outcomes for stage one and two proposal An opportunity for the officers to clarify the project proposals before the business meeting.	Matt Foster Raewyn Curran
3	Connector Shuttle investigation To scope the Connector Shuttle investigation	Brett Lane
4	Quick Response application To discuss the Quick Response applications. Key discussion points: Applications received and budget available Action: Officer to make amendments and provide a report for the WRLB business meeting	Fua Winterstein
5	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
6	Board only session Members only time	Members

	Item	Presenter
1	Annual Plan – Workshop 3 Members to review draft consultation materials	Glenn Boyd Raewyn Curran
2	Annual Plan Consultation process Annual plan consultation process period from 15 February – 15 March 2016. Key discussion points: · Overview of the Annual Plan Consultation process · Communications, consultation and engagements with the community Action: Officer to organise venues and dates for the WRLB consultation event	Steve Wilcox
3	Quarterly Performance report – September 2015 An opportunity for the Officer to discuss the Quarterly Performance Report currently an agenda item for the 26 November business meeting. Action: Officer to make minor amendments to the Quarterly Performance Report.	David Rose
4	Captain Scott Road Feedback and results for the investigate phase for proposed streetscape improvement at Captain Scott Road (between West Coast Road and Glenmall Place in Glen Eden Town Centre). Seeking approval to commit budget to cover the costs of the detail design phase for this project. Key discussion points: · Captain Scott Road feedback summary · Mountain Road update Action: Officer to make amendments and provide a report for the WRLB business meeting	Owena Schuster Hussam Abdul-Rassol
5	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
6	Board only session Members only time	Members

Chairperson	Sandra Coney, QSO
Deputy Chairperson	Denise Yates, JP
Members	Neil Henderson
	Greg Presland
	Steve Tollestrup
	Saffron Toms

Authors	Hannah Alleyne - Senior Programme Planner
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

	Item	Presenter
1	Results based accountability training for members and officers around accountability framework for reporting funded service delivery contribution to local board outcomes.	Sally Clarkson (Raeburn House)
2	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
3	Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Chair Sandra Coney Deputy Chair Denise Yates Member Saffron Toms
4	Board only session Members only time	Members

	Item	Presenter
1	Round 1 of Local Grants Review of applications received for the Round 1 of the Local Grants Key discussion points: Applications received Waitakere Ranges Local Board budget available Action: Officer to make amendments and provide a report for the WRLB business meeting.	Fua Winterstein
2	Waitakere Ranges Precinct and PAUP A follow up from the previous workshop held on 15 October. Key discussion points: Work through the boards unitary plan submission Action: Officer to collate evidence (as be discussion with the board) for the independent hearing panel on 5 November 2015.	Brett Lane
3	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
4	Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Chair Sandra Coney Deputy Chair Denise Yates Member Saffron Toms
5	Board only session Members only time	Members

	Item	Presenter
1	Annual Plan – 1^st workshop Content of the Engagement Packs and draft Asset Base Services work programmes 2016/2017	Glenn Boyd / Kate Marsh Supporting Officers Richard McWha Xanthe Jujnovic Matt Foster Kaitlyn White Jo Brewster Leicester Drake
2	WRHA work programme Follow up from workshop held on 11/06. Key discussion points: · Update the board on the WRHA work programme · Remaining funding for priority projects	Claire Liousse
3	Weed projects Weed update and further discussion on the boards budget – LDI 2015/16 Key discussion points: · Board’s Budget – LDI 2015/2016 – The board has $104,000 to approve towards weed management projects, Weed and Pest management and Weed and Weed Control Projects Stage two of Weed management project suggestions: Funding of $104,000 from 2015/2016 LDI · Complete control at Huia and Piha target areas in November 2015 and fund a second round of control in March 2015 · Continue engagement and surveying at existing target areas Nov 2015 – June 2015. · Expand into new target areas in Huia, Piha, Karekare · Create a brand and promote the project Key deliverables: Engagement and Surveying · Continue engagement with communities at Huia and Piha by weeding bees, mail drops /engage and survey existing and new target areas · Develop branding – name for the project Control · Complete first round of control at Huia 1, Piha 1, Piha 2 and Piha 3 target areas in November 2015 and second round in March 2016 · Undergo control at identified new target areas – Huia, Piha, Karekare · Members suggested that the community may like to do the door-knocking to talk about weeds · Members requested if any savings to reinvest in this project maybe to Karekare. Action: Officer to provide a report for the next business meeting	Matt Foster Holly Cox
4	Administration The members dealt with various administration items	Sharon Davies
5	Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Member Greg Presland Member Neil Henderson Member Steve Tollestrup
6	Board only session Members only time	Members